This is a personal collection of random memories old and new associated with
my "wild life" on Fair Isle one of the Shetland Islands part of Scotland and the most remote inhabited island in the UK.
population 60 people, 1200 sheep, 20,000 puffins and a few rare birds.

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Monday, February 10, 2014

In Focus - interview with Tommy H Hyndman for the Shetland Times.

In Focus?

Here
are the questions provided by

Rosalind Griffiths of The Shetland Times Newspaper.

1. What is your earliest
memory?

I remember the pain… It was Summer, I was 3, living in Upstate New York,
USA near Rochester. I was running around house barefoot chased by my two older
brothers, I stepped on a pickerbush in lawn. Also I played with my toy trucks
in the dirt of a red ant hill behind our house… The ants crawled all over me
then started to bite. Ouch! My parents striped me naked and hosed me down in
the back yard as I screamed danced around in front of the neighbors.

2. Who was a big
influence in your early life?

My parents and family of course, I also had some
memorable teachers and professors that deserve some credit too.

3. What was your first
job?

For many years during high school and university I worked in the family
business the Saratoga Art Gallery. The summer before University I worked in the
art gallery during the day and as a dishwasher in a restaurant at night. One of
my jobs today is cooking and cleaning for my Auld Haa Guesthouse and I still
hate doing the dishes!

4. Who are your heroes
and why?

Don’t ask why, but since I was young I have always been fond of Wonder
Woman.

5. Who or what are you
most proud of?

My son Henry! He is awesome! Spoken as a proud parent… Also
anyone who knows me will need no reminding, June 6th 2008, I found
and identified a Citril Finch in my garden, a first record of that bird species
for British Ornithology.

6. What is your greatest
indulgence?

Collecting things, Art, Antiques, etc. since moving to Fair Isle I
have started at least 3 new collections. Vintage Fair Isle collectables books,
postcards and ceramics, Fair Isle knit hats knit on Fair Isle by Islanders and
my somewhat embarrassing Citril Finch collection consisting of paintings,
sculptures, vintage prints, a stamp and a t-shirt all with images of the bird.

7. What do you most
regret?

Regrets I have a few, should of, would of, could of. I was young once,
I’m sorry... I don’t regret moving to Shetland.

8. What are your worst
fears?

Watching the plane take off the Fair Isle landing strip with my son and
all the other Fair Isle school children aboard in marginal weather as it heads
to Tingwall, I hold my breath every time.

9. What hobbies do you
have?

Are Birdwatching and Fishing hobbies? Or obsessions?

10. What kind of music
do you like?

I guess now most people would call it “80’s” music.

11. What are your pet
hates?

Smelly cats and wet dogs.

12. What skill do you
wish you had?

I can draw you a picture, but music or language skills allude me.

13. What are the best
places in the world you have visited?

I moved to Fair Isle in Nov. 2006 Born in
Upstate New York. I have seen quite a bit of the USA, north east Canada and a
bit of Mexico. My home town Saratoga Springs, is constantly voted one of the
best small cities of America. The fishing is good in Minnesota. I love the beaches
of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Shetlanders would feel much at home in Nova Scotia
& Newfoundland, also in Canada, Montreal is a great city. London, New York,
Los Angeles, Amsterdam, are mega! I think Washington DC. is often over looked
by international tourist, but all the amazing museums are free in DC! Bergan,
Norway and Santa Fee, New Mexico have great charm for smaller cities. Years ago
I spent 6 months at an Artist-in-residences in Japan! Tokyo and Kyoto are wonderful
mysteries for me or anyone. Recently I made a much overdue visit Barcelona,
Spain, loved it and hope to go back soon. Shetland is high on the list too.

14. What is your
favourite location in Shetland and why?

Fair Isle, to be more specific the Auld
Haa House my home. Outside of the house I love the view from the cliff tops
near the North Lighthouse, the staggering awe humbles all who dare to look over
the edge.

15. If you had to leave
and never come back what would you miss most about this place?

The wildlife,
the view, the big sky and sea, maybe even the wild weather and of course the
people I shared it all with.

16. And what would you
be glad to see the back of?

A whale!

17. What one item would
you save if your house was on fire?

My Fair Isle Kep! A hat hand knit by Fair
Isle’s knitting legend 92 year old Annie Thomson. All the yarn in hat was hand
spun by Annie’s husband Stuart Thomson (originally from Unst) on a spinning
wheel he made himself. The patterns are traditional, the colour are all naturally
wool from Fair Isle breed sheep, white, moorit, natural grey & Shetland
black. Stuart even made a special toupe yarn used throughout the hat by
blending white and moorit brown wools. Money can’t buy this hat or one like it.
In Japan where they place a high value on historic craftspeople these two would
be considered National Treasures. To me it is quintessential Fair Isle Knitwear
at it’s very best and total irreplaceable.

18. How would you like
to be remembered?

As an artist, a father and with a dram or two.

19. Looking to the
future, what are your ambitions?

I’m always on the lookout for a rare bird, a
big fish or a new adventure.

20. What five people
would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Pablo Picasso, Wonder Woman, Ernest
Hemmingway, The woman portrayed in the Mona Lisa. (I would like to know who she
was?) I would really need a 3rd woman for a balanced dinner party,
someone like Cleopatra or Uma Thurman?
That said, I think I would like my son Henry there instead, because I
would want someone I know to share the experience.

21. And finally – today
being a normal Friday I will:

Eat; Whatever I want (or
whatever is available as we have not had a Good Shepherd ferry service in over
a month.)

Tommy H Hyndman is an artist and hat designer, runs the Auld
Haa Guesthouse and the Fair Isle Lighthouse Keepers Golf Course. A member of
the Fair Isle HM Coastguard cliff rescue team and also posts a popular blog
about his adventures on Fair Isle. http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/

This week's Shetland Times"In Focus" interviews are not shown on line, so I got permission to share the interview on my blog.

Beach combing on the South Harbour beaches. Photo at top of the page I'm looking through an old rusty bed spring.

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About Me

Welcome to my blog! I moved to Fair Isle Nov. 2006. Originally from Saratoga Springs, New York, USA. I live in the Auld Haa House built for the Laird in the early 1700’s. Wow! What history! What a view! I’m an “Artist” though it is not easy to finding the time to sculpt or paint around here. I have an Artist Studio and Gallery/Shop at the South Lighthouse. I also have reinstated the Fair Isle Lighthouse Keepers Golf Course on the nearby croft land. I run and operate as well as cook for my Auld Haa Guesthouse, with all those guest it keeps me pretty busy. A few hours every month I train as a member of H.M. Coastguard Search & Rescue Team. I have been a life long sport fisherman, since moving I have also become an enthusiastic birdwatcher. I like to share my adventures with friends & family. Media interest surrounded our move and choices, so people all over the world like to see if we are still alive. Birdwatchers wonder what bird is next? I promote Fair Isle by attracting visitors and worldwide awareness of Fair Isle, it’s knitting & heritage. I just love showing this truly amazing place to everyone, most especially my son. Cheers.